The Non-Beer Summit

I just read that Obama has selected Bud Light as his choice for the much ballyhooed Beer Summit taking place this evening. I'm all for drinking what you like, but in this case, if the POTUS isn't drinking beer, perhaps Crowley and Gates should follow suit.

Looks like only Crowley drinks American...

Well, The Prez and The Prof have apparently opted to have foreign beers at their much-ballyhooed sudsy sitdown today. Obie will likely have a Bud (Belgian-owned), and Gates is either a Red Stripe (Jamaican) or Beck's (German) man. Crowley drinks American and likes Blue Moon (Coors). In terms of their choices, Crowley has come the closest to being a craft beer guy. They all could have had The PubScout recommend other choices that would have opened their eyes to good beer and quality, but no. They decided to go it alone.

But that's the great thing about beer. No snobbiness allowed. Drink what you like. It helps, however, to expand your horizons in deciding what you like, and that's where I could have assisted. Now we have the embarrassing political  scenario of an American president drinking a "Belgian" beer. If he wanted to do that, I could have turned him on to some real Belgians. Duvel, Delirium Tremens, Karmeliet, Piraat come to mind. American brewers make some great Belgian styles, too. Allagash (Tripel), Weyerbacher (Merry Monks), North Coast (Pranqster) and Victory (Golden Monkey) are great American examples of the style. Maybe the best one in this case could have been Three Philosophers (Ommegang in NY).

Maybe if enough people contact him, he'll appoint me Beer/Health Czar. After all, drinking a glass or two of good beer a day is one of the healthiest things  a person can do. And with that 1000 page Health Care Bill (that no one has read) coming down the pike, we're all going to need to stay healthy.

 

Date Set for Harvard Scholar, Policeman to Meet With Obama at White House - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

Beer at The White House? Count me in...but

Much has been in the news lately about the dustup between the Cambridge Police Sergeant and the Harvard Prof. President Obama got involved in the flap by making a comment that he probably wishes he hadn't, but in an attempt to quell the rising controversy (and stop his sliding poll numbers) the President has taken the unprecedented step of inviting both men involved in the contretemps to have a beer with him at the White House.

We consumers of beer, especially good beer, can connect with that. But the invitation raises an important question. What kind of beer would Obama serve to these to men to help smooth things over?

One can only hope that the President, who has been reported to be an arugula fan, would have a Born-in-the-USA craft beer as the main course. I mean, why would two guys from Cambridge travel all the way to DC for a Bud or a Corona? My guess is the White House can order any beer it wants, and Jim Koch would probably be happy to provide some Sam Adams, but I have a better suggestion for The Prez.

Invite them to the White House, then drive over to P & Q Streets (how apt is that?) near DuPont Circle and take the boys downstairs to The Brickskeller. The Brick may be the national capital's--if not the nation's--most famous beer bar. The Brick is Beer Mecca for the beer nut, and the Prez would probably get a lot more political mileage out of a trip to The Brick. Look what happened when he went to that burger joint. He could score political points (supporting and stimulating the local economy), publicity points (he's a regular guy like us) and most importantly his two guests could choose a beer from The Brick's 1000 beer menu that would suit each of them. It's a triple win. And the atmosphere in The Brick is far more conducive to friendship and camaraderie than the stodgy ol' White House.

But there's just one problem. How will Gates, Crowley and Obama know which beers to pick? Simple.

They need to invite The PubScout along to educate them. Not only will I point them to the best bridge-building session beers like Peacemaker IPA from Sleeping Giant Brewing. I can even suggest which foods would go best with the beers. We don't want the three of them just drinking beers on an empty stomach, do we? That wouldn't do, considering the flap that took place at Gates's home didn't even involve alcohol and look what happened. People got their knickers in a twist and even started calling out mamas. And The Prez got sucked into a nasty public relations maelstrom.

Anyway, I officially offer my services to the Prez to help him get this issue behind him. Heck, if he's buying at The Brick, I'll even pay my own way down to DC.

And I promise not to mention the birth certificate.

Sippin' by the River a great cause

As one who hails from a family that has experienced the suffering of Crohn's Disease and Colitis, I attended and reviewed the first ever Sippin event some years ago. It's held at Penn's Landing in Philly, and it's an absolutely wonderful day for a most worthwhile cause. It's taking place on October 4, but discount tix are available if you purchase early. Click the link below for info.

Cheers till next time!

 

Welcome to Sippinbytheriver.com

Heading to the UK? Your pub choices may be dwindling

Click the link below for info.

 

BBC NEWS | Business | UK 'is losing 52 pubs each week'

Feestdag! Don't let your FeetsDrag!

PALM Gets Ready to Celebrate Belgian National Day "Feestdag"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Belgium's July 21st Holiday Means "Party Day" - Hits the U.S.

What's not to love about a country that has a national holiday called "Party Day?" Belgium, world famous for its beer and chocolate, celebrates "Feestdag" on July 21, which translates into "Party Day" and PALM is bringing that party to U.S. bars and restaurants in the shape of a celebration of the country's cuisine, beer and culture.

Belgian National Day commemorates the date the first Belgian king, Leopold I, took his oath before the Belgian parliament in the King's Square in Brussels in 1831. The Belgians didn't make it a holiday until 1890 but now it's time to Party!

For events and partner restaurants/bars in your area, please see the list below or simply grab yourself a case of PALM and create your own Feestdag at home.

Manhattan Feestdag Events

Les Halles - Downtown

Onda

BXL

Vino at the Seaport

Bleeker Street Bar

Third & Long

Village

Cow Girl Hall of Fame

Vol de Nuit

House of Brews

Bar 9

Amsterdam Ale House

Brooklyn Feestdag Events

Waterfront Ale House

Mugs Ale House

Brazen Head

South 4th

Red Star

Cherry Tree

PJ Hanley's

Park Slope Ale House

Long Island Feestdag Events

Featherstones
Once and For All
Top of the Peer
Croxley Ale House
Coach House
Millerridge Inn

New Jersey Feestdag Events

Iron Horse  Westwood

Finnigans  Westwood

Egans and Sons  Montclair

Cloverleaf  Caldwell

Carolina Blue  Pitman

Washington DC Feestdag Events

Belga Cafe

RFD

Brasserie Beck

Palm Steakhouse

Brickskeller

Philadelphia Feestdag Events

Campbell Place
Society Hill Hotel
Eulogy 
Devil's Den
Old Eagle Tavern
Race Street
Fado

London Grill 
Belgian Café
Blue Ox Bistro
Bishop's Collar
O'neal's

Zot 
American Bar and Grill - Center Square
Ten Stone
Manayunk Tavern
Blue Dog - landsdale
Blue Dog - Chalfont
Iron Abbey
Grey Lodge
Tecca
Teressa's Next Door
Boathouse
Chap's Tap Room
Union Jack's

Connecticut Feestdag Events

Caseus - New Haven
Christies - New Haven
Jakes - Wallingford
Delaney's - New Haven
Chips pub II - Guilford
Gingerman - South Norwalk
Crooked shillelah - Branford
Gingerman - Greenwich

San Diego Feestdag Events

Pizza Port Sloana Beach Solana Beach
Besta Wan  Encinitas
La Costa Grill Carlsbad
Robbie's Cardiff by the sea
Tractor Room San Diego
Princess Pub San Diego
Poseidon Del Mar
Luxus 101 Encinitas
Jack's La Jolla
Lafayette Hotel San Diego
George's La Jolla
Urban Solace San Diego
Whisk N Ladle La Jolla
Toronado San Diego
Pacific Coast Grill San Diego
JJ Landers Fallbrook
Hoffer's Cigar Lounge La Mesa
Penny Lane San Marcos
Fish House Vera Cruz San Marcos
Warner Springs Ranch Warner Springs
Pizza Port Carlsbad Carlsbad
Callahan's San Diego
UCSD Porter's La Jolla
Tap Room Pacific Beach
San Diego Brewing San Diego
Hamilton's San Diego
O'Brien's San Diego
The Palm Steakhouse San Diego

Orange County Feestdag Events

KC Branaghan's Long Beach
8 Eighty Eight Fullerton
Blue Laguna Laguna Beach
Friend's Dove Canyon
Spaghettini Seal Beach
Goat Hill Costa Mesa
Hero's Fullerton
Lugatti's Huntington Beach
Mutt Lynch's Newport Beach
Stadium Tavern Fullerton
The Cellar San Clemente
The Pint House Fullerton
The Crow Bar Corona del Mar
Beachwood BBQ Seal Beach

MADD mad about Flying Fish's Exit Series Brews

Read the link below and register your opinion on the article page.Certainly no responsible person in the beer world supports drinking and driving--including Gene Muller and yours truly. You decide. Does MADD have a legit gripe or do they need to "just get over it ?"

 

Mothers Against Drunk Driving slam N.J. Turnpike-themed beer - NJ.com

See You in Philly on August 4!

I don't know about you, but I'm clearing my schedule to get down to McGillin's Olde Ale House on Tuesday evening, August 4. Big doings! Can't wait to try that 1860 ale made by the good folks at Stoudt's Brewing! Bring a friend and see why McG's is at the top of my PPP List! (That's Phavorite Philly Pubs, in case you didn't know!)